The rugged coast of Robinson Crusoe Island, a two-hour flight from Santiago, Chile, is largely unchanged from the days of sea captain Alexander Selkirk, marooned there in 1704 and immortalized by Daniel Defoe as "Robinson Crusoe."

Photo: Adventure Life

The rugged coast of Robinson Crusoe Island, a two-hour flight from...

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Robinson Crusoe Island is largely uninhabited outside of the harbor town of San Juan Buatista, which has some 800 residents.

Photo: Adventure Life

Robinson Crusoe Island is largely uninhabited outside of the harbor...

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Magellanic penguins are some of the native wildlife of Robinson Crusoe Island, some 370 miles off the coast of Chile.

Photo: Adventure Life

Magellanic penguins are some of the native wildlife of Robinson...

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The Virginia & Truckee Railroad runs from May through October using steam and diesel engines on restored tracks through the historic Comstock Route.

Photo: Virginia & Truckee Railroad

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad runs from May through October...

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Zambia's capital city of Lusaka is home to the new 142-room Radisson Blu Hotel, close to both the city center and airport.

New tour

Chile: "As primitive as can be" does not apply to the lodgings of a new four-night tour of Robinson Crusoe Island that includes a two-hour flight from Santiago. Hiking, diving and horseback riding, though, reveal how little has changed since a captain was marooned here in 1704, inspiring Defoe's novel. www.adventurelife.com.

New museums

France: Marseilles, the European Capital of Culture for 2013, is busily adding venues to live up to the name. J1, a hangar in the old port area, now hosts many special events, while a new modern art museum called the FRAC opens this month and the seaside Villa Mediterranee debuts in April. marseillecityofculture.eu.

Sightseeing

Nevada: Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which offers narrated rides through a mother lode of Comstock-era mining sites, resumes Mother's Day, May 12. Tickets are on sale now for the 28-mile round trip Carson City to Virginia City and the 4-mile Virginia City to Gold Hill routes. www.vtrailway.com.

Holiday

Seoul: On March 1, 1919, 33 Koreans gathered in a local restaurant to read a declaration of independence that ignited a series of demonstrations against Japanese occupation. Samil ("Three-One") or Independence Movement Day is now a public holiday, marked by flag displays and ringing of the massive bell at Bosingak.

New hotel

Zambia: The capital of Lusaka is now home to a Radisson Blu Hotel, with 142 spacious rooms (400 square feet and up), all-day restaurant and lounge, outdoor pool and bar, and fitness center. Rates, which include breakfast and high-speed Wi-Fi, start at $155. www.radissonblu.com.